Interview: Phil Brown & Noel Hunt delighted with festive season start

Noel Hunt has issued a rallying cry after Blues chalked up a convincing 4-1 win over Bury on Friday night, urging his teammates to repeat last season’s promotion feat.

“I’m really pleased with the result,” Hunt said.

“It’s good to get a couple of goals, but it’s more important for the team to win. And the way that we did it, we did it the right way.”

Hunt made his first appearance for Blues since mid-September and found the net twice inside the opening 45 minutes of the game.

David Mooney added Southend’s third from the penalty spot, before Jack Payne’s stunning curling effort rounded off the scoring for Phil Brown’s men, who have moved up to 7th in the League One table.

Friday night’s performance means that Hunt has now scored four goals since joining the club in the summer, and the Irishman reserved praise for the attitude of both the playing and coaching staff.

Hunt said: “It’s about the boys’ character and the way they go about their business every day in training, and the manager and Cocko [Graham Coughlan] demand the best.”

“I think we need to push as far as we can. We need to have the hunger and desire to do what the boys did last year, and go up again.”

Phil Brown

Phil Brown declared himself ‘delighted’ with Southend’s performance, as Blues ran out 4-1 winners against Bury on Friday night. The Shakers came to Roots Hall occupying 7th position, but Blues have now leapfrogged the Lancashire club and are now only outside of the play-off places on goal difference.

Two goals from Noel Hunt put Blues into a two-goal lead, before former Southend man Leon Clarke pulled a goal back for the visitors shortly before half-time.

David Mooney and Jack Payne found the net in the second half, securing a third win in five league games for Blues, who are unbeaten in League One since the 20th of October.

“I’m delighted for Noel. I’m delighted for the players. To get four goals, I’m just delighted with the performance, to tell you the truth,” Brown said.

“It was near-perfect. There’s only one blemish and I hate to mention it, but that’s the goal we conceded. I like clean sheets.”

All eyes now turn to the Essex derby with Colchester United on Boxing Day, and Brown is calling on the club’s supporters to do everything in their power to help his side.

Brown said: “We’ll go into it with our tails up.”

“We’re not taking anything for granted, it doesn't matter where they are in the table. They’re our local rivals and they'll be fighting for everything.”

“Could we can make it a home game? Could we make it a home atmosphere? Fingers crossed we can.”

The full interviews with Phil & Noel - speaking exclusively to BluesPlayer after Friday's win - can be viewed by clicking the following link: www.player.southendunited.co.uk